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HIV / AIDS
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Working with young people on sexual health and
HIV/AIDS 3
Page 4 5 
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Introduction |
This pack contains a list of materials and games, activities and ideas on sexual health, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is designed for youth workers and educators. It lists resources and contacts that can help youth workers and educators network with each other and discuss sexual health and HIV with young people, as well as share experience with others working in the same areas.
The aim is to:
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offer ideas on how to include activities on sexual health and HIV in existing youth programmes to help young men and women make healthier and safer choices |
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share information about existing materials and how to obtain them |
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suggest ways of changing and adapting these resources |
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provide examples of games and activities that can be adapted and used. |
No activity on its own can provide all the answers to working with young people on sexual health or
HIV prevention. Young people's reproductive and
sexual health programmes need to:
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involve young people in planning programmes |
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provide accurate information on sex, reproduction and where to find information and support |
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allow opportunities to explore feelings and enable young people to develop skills to make decisions, communicate them to others and stand by their decisions when under pressure from other people |
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promote access to appropriate services for young people to be able to act on these decisions |
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promote a supportive environment from peers and other people in the community to enable young people to make healthier choices. |
The samples selected (see Samples section page
31) are intended to encourage young people to participate rather than to simply listen. Information on the 'facts
of life' and HIV prevention are not enough. Young people need to be able to explore ideas for themselves, develop solutions that are appropriate to their
needs and practice skills they will need to put this knowledge into action.
These resources discuss topics including:
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accurate information on HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexual and reproductive health |
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how to avoid unwanted sex, unwanted pregnancy and STDs, including HIV |
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how to have healthy sexual relationships which are free from any sort of pressure or violence |
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developing confidence to deal with emerging sexual feelings and situations |
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identifying services that enable young people to act on this information, such as access to affordable condoms, health services, education and leisure opportunities. |
Most of the resources listed are designed for use with young people aged twelve years and upwards. We have also included some materials aimed at younger
children or that can be easily adapted for use with younger children.
Working with young people on sexual health and
HIV/AIDS 4 Page 5
6
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Introduction |
Young people are the best resource
Often the best way of learning and following advice is from people similar to ourselves in age, background and interests (our peers). Other young people are normally the first source of information for most young men and women and they can exchange ideas and support each other. A good programme should work with young people's strengths and skills and enable them to build on what they already know, learning from each other and practising the skills needed to make important decisions. With more confidence and accurate information it is easier for young people to make and act on healthy decisions.
Share your ideas and your work
New and stimulating activities will encourage young people to propose their own solutions to their concerns. When young people are involved in creating educational resources these are more likely to reflect the concerns and personality of their own group of young people than if an older person or someone from outside designs and delivers them.
The ideas and activities in this pack come from young people and people who are working with them. If you have ideas, comments or materials that you would like to share please contact the Hand-in-Hand Network or Healthlink Worldwide. Organisations who are interested in sharing and exchanging information are listed in Organisations and suppliers section page 55.
This resource pack builds on a previous pack published in 1993 entitled Resource pack on sexual health and AIDS prevention for socially apart youth.
An adapted Portuguese language edition is being developed, and we also hope to produce French and Spanish editions. Please contact Healthlink Worldwide for more information about these activities.
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